This is a response to Beeria's challenge fic. Somehow I found an inspiration to write this story, maybe because I think it is rather fresh, maybe because I need a break from my another story. Or maybe because my friend faced a bit similar problem.So let's come to the fic's summary:

AU. Cloud's mother marries for the second time and that means he will have a step-sister he has never seen before. But afterone fateful day Cloud faces a problem of being torn between love and dignity. What will he choose? And let's not forget about his step-sister. What decision will she make?
Pairings: Clorith and I still think about Tifa. I have some plans on her, so let's wait.

Rated just to be safe. I don't think children are allowed to read about such kind of problems. Warning: some OOCness.
Lines in italics are Cloud's thoughts.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
My trade word: enjoy!


"Why are you silent?" A woman asked looking into her cup of tea dolefully. "After all, I've told you joyous news."

Her son continued to stare at a wall persistently keeping his mouth shut. His lips were pressed into a thin line. She couldn't see his eyes that were covered with dishevelled blond locks but the woman was sure he was either angry or discontented. People were free to talk as much as they want about how understanding children become when they grow up but she couldn't believe that.

"Fine, I shared my gladness with you so please would you be so kind to go upstairs in your room and think about your behavior!" She flew into a rage standing up and setting her hands against a table's edge. "You could have at least pretended to be happy for me!"

"There are enough pretenses in your life," the young man replied coldly moving his chair aside and standing up too. "You're going to marry one of them."

"Get out!"

The blood in her temples was pulsating madly because of the anger, tiredness, disappointment she was feeling. It was painful for her to watch her only beloved son pushing away the thing she was longing for. The woman was going to cast her lot with a man she loved, very clever, educated, talented, sincere man, but the sense of her life, the one who didn't give her to break down after her first husband's death, her dear Cloud was loathing deeply his future step-father.

She felt a great pain in her heart when she heard her son slamming the front door. She was hoping sincerely that Cloud would be able to accept everything. Wouldn't he?..


He kicked a trunk of a tree furiously. There, actually, were no reasons for him to have something against that marriage. He could see his mother loved that man and maybe he loved her too but something in his heart gave him no rest. Cloud shook his head violently to make all those thought disappear. The only thing he needed then was a place he could have a rest without being disturbed. He was not sure if such place existed but it was worth trying to find it.

Cloud walked out of their yard and stopped at the middle of a road that led to the huge gates. Those gates were an exit from their village but they opened rarely. Maybe that was the reason there were little people in Nibelheim. He never wondered.

"Hey, Cloud!" he heard a familiar feminine voice that called him from behind. He turned to face a pretty nineteen-year-old girl with long chocolate-brown hair, wine-colored eyes and soft features, dressed in a tight white top and short black skirt.

"Hi," he greeted with a short wave of hand.

The girl chuckled and crossed her arms on her chest.

"So where are you going?" she asked with a smirk.

Cloud stood motionless deep in his thoughts. Really, where was he going?

"Hey, it's not nice!" the girl waved her hand in front of his face making him twitch. "Much better."

"I'm just… I don't have any exact place to go and…" he started to explain, scratching the back of his neck.

She chuckled again and took his hand.

"Then let's go with me, I have a job for you to do," the girl said while pulling Cloud. "You know, I and my mom are busy with your mother's wedding dress and I think…"

Cloud wasn't listening what he was telling further. He just looked at her back with uncomprehending eyes.

"So all this is planned! And I was told only today! What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Cloud thought trying to hold his anger inside for the girl's sake.

"…and that's where we stopped our work. I know that I shouldn't ask you to help us with that since you're not the bride but I think you know your mother's tastes the best. She's very busy now, so that's why I'm asking you."

"So she thinks I'm overjoyed with this damn wedding… What have I gotten myself into?"

"Hey, were you listening?" the girl stopped and glared at him. "I don't think so."

"I was listening, Tifa," he decided to lie. Just to be safe. "You need my help. That's what I figured out."

The girl sighed but took ahold of his hand again pulling him further.

"And as far as I know the fiancé's daughter is going to deal with all those flower things: decoration, bride's bouquet and so on. She's nice…" Tifa continued to jabber.

Cloud slapped his forehead with his free hand. He has totally forgotten about that man's daughter! And after all these miserable news he suddenly remembers about his future stepsister who happened to be even elder than he was. He knew about her when his mother was dating that man but the thought of her becoming his relative had never visited him until that moment.

"So we're here!" Tifa said cheerfully openingthe door to her house and coming in. "Mom, I've brought Cloud!"

The young man sighed quietly and stood at the doorway.

"Come in," the girl demanded grabbing Cloud by his shoulder and dragging him in.

It was rather nice and cosily inside. The walls, painted in light-blue, were harmonizing with the dark-brown floor. There was not a lot of furniture in the house but that was what Cloud liked.

"Oh, I'm glad that you came" a woman in mid-forties came into his sight. Her dark-brown short hair was tied with a simple black ribbon, there were some wrinkles on her kind face and the green eyes were shining with tears. "You see, I'm so tired with this work so there are even tears we have here."

She tried to force a smile but it was useless. Tifa sighed and led Cloud intothe living-room.


She heard a sound of an opening door and turned her head at it. Her son stood with his head bowed.

"Mom, I just… wanted to ask. What surname will you take? Just curious. "

The woman smiled weakly.

"Gast. I've already decided that."

"Well then. I'll stay Cloud Strife."